Code Vein

About Code Vein

Shift developed this action RPG while Bandai Namco handled publishing back in September 2019. It lands on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC as a single player experience with optional co-op features. The story places you in a ruined future where vampire-like humans called Revenants fight over scraps of civilization. You start with no memory but gain special powers known as Gifts after drinking blood. Your main goal involves exploring the Thorns of Judgment while trying to avoid becoming one of the Lost ghouls. This title borrows heavy inspiration from Dark Souls mechanics but swaps the fantasy setting for a gothic sci-fi aesthetic that fits its specific lore.

Gameplay

You move through large interconnected areas filled with enemies and environmental hazards. Combat relies on stamina management and precise timing to dodge or parry attacks. You customize your character by swapping out different Blood Codes to change your weapon types and magic spells. The game features a crafting system where you collect materials to upgrade gear or forge new weapons. Multiplayer lets other players join your world as ghosts to help defeat tough bosses or clear specific dungeons. Sessions often involve backtracking to previously visited zones to find shortcuts or hidden items while managing your blood resources carefully.

What Players Think

Players on PlayPile have registered an average playtime of 28 hours across the user base. Critics on IGDB gave the title a score of 72.2 out of 100 based on 195 ratings. Only 31.2 percent of users have unlocked all available achievements in their library. The rarest challenge remains Revenant Preeminent, which only 2.00 percent of the community has managed to beat. Community moods skew toward frustrated but satisfied when players finally overcome difficult boss fights. Review snippets frequently mention the combat feels tight even if the story lacks depth compared to other titles in the genre.

PlayPile's Take

This game costs as low as $5.30 on Gamesplanet right now, making it a solid budget purchase for fans of hard action RPGs. You will spend significant time grinding for upgrades or trying to unlock that elusive 2 percent achievement. The multiplayer co-op system helps soften the difficulty spikes found in solo play. If you enjoy methodical combat and don't mind a forgettable plot, this fits your needs well. Avoid it if you want a story-driven experience where the narrative takes priority over challenging gameplay loops.

Storyline

In the not too distant future, a mysterious disaster has brought collapse to the world as we know it. Towering skyscrapers, once symbols of prosperity, are now lifeless graves of humanity’s past pierced by the Thorns of Judgment. At the center of the destruction lies a hidden society of Revenants called Vein. This final stronghold is where the remaining few fight to survive, blessed with Gifts of power in exchange for their memories and a thirst for blood. Give into the bloodlust fully and risk becoming one of the Lost, fiendish ghouls devoid of any remaining humanity. Wandering aimlessly in search of blood, the Lost will stop at nothing to satisfy their hunger. Team up and embark on a journey to the ends of hell to unlock your past and escape your living nightmare in CODE VEIN.